Asking a socialist to embrace austerity is like asking a prostitute to embrace chastity: it’s simply not part of the business model

SIR – I read your special report on France
and found it to be faultless (November 17th). A lot of commentators
agree with me on this side of the Channel. I have led companies in
India, Ireland, France and Switzerland. Nowhere is it more complicated
or frustrating than in France. This is not only because of the high cost
of labour imposed by the welfare system; it is mainly because of the
time and energy spent in dealing with unions and their numerous
committees and representatives. But at least I respect the unions. The
bigger problem is with legislators and the political cowardice that
results in the accumulated laws that makes the code du travail so monstrous.

An example of political nonsense in French business is the plan for a
new airport near Nantes. Nothing justifies this airport, which will
fail to attract traffic. It is a white elephant on which public money
will be spent just so that the government and its regional allies can
save face, and in the middle of a financial crisis. London’s airports
are two to three times more productive than the big Paris airports
thanks to excellent flight controllers who don’t go on strike all the
time.

The definitive lesson in French management seems to be:“That’s fine in practice. But it will never work in theory.”

SIR – Well done: a kick in the pants is often a good motivator,
though I have no illusions after living here for 25 years that much will
change. Asking a socialist to embrace austerity and labour-market
reforms is like asking a prostitute to embrace chastity: it’s simply not
part of the business model.